The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-13
THE PROCEEDINGS In DETAIL.
THE SENATE.

Yesterday mornings session of the Senate was
opened by Rev. Mr.. Duncan. of Hall place
Church.
On motion by Mr. Tharp the constitutional
rule suspended and bill to fix the terms
OF courts in Daviess and Martin counties-the
FORTHWITH judicial circuit-was read twice
by tit.e the third time by sections, and finally
passed.
Mr.. Smith lin the chair stated that the News
and Journal published notice that General
Harrison had been denied admission to the
Senate chamber. If that be true the Chair re-
grets it very much. If the Senator had called
his attention to the fact the Senator would have
been admitted with his friends. Senator Har-
rison is entitled to the freedom of the Senate
floor far AS the Chair is concerned, and as far
every Democratic Senator is concerned, and
when he appears he shall he admitted; he and
his friends.
Mr.. Fowler not being in accord with the views
OF State finances held Of the majority and not
agreeing with the recommendations of the
Governor in regard to carrying the State
government resigned the place assigned to him
as chairman of the committee on finance. Sen
ator French was appointed to the vacancy.
Mr.. Drake read the following
Whereas, Lieutenant governor Robertson is now
present In the Senate chamber to take the chair
President of the Senate,
Therefore. move that committee Of two Senators
be appointed to escort the Lieutenant governor to his
chair as presiding officer of the Senate.
Mr.. Drake recited the steps taken by the
Lieutenant governor elect. which give to him
prima facie right to take the President
of the Senate.
Mr. Muinix referred to the effort of the mi
nority. yesterday, to place on the Senate journal
a statement that the Senate had taken part in
the publishing of the vote for Lieutenant gov
ernor day when the Senate was not in ses-
sion. and now they come again. this morning
and ask that a committee be appointed to place
in the chair the Senate has declared has
no right here whatever.
Mr. Fowler raised the point OF order that this
ma h disDOSe0 q of 10
Senate
Mr. Smith, in the chair-Early in this session
a resolution was offered reciting the facts tho
effect that there was no Leutenaut-governur
elected at the election in 1885, That resolution
was adopted, under the previous question. A
motion to reconsider, and motion to lay that
motion on the table was adopted, and that for
ever nut that question at rest so far as this Sen
ate is concerned; therefore, any attempt to take
the matter up and consider it in any way is out
OF order.
Mr.. Drake and Mr.. Davis appealed from the
decision of the chair On motion of Mr. Bailey
the appeal was laid on the table-yeas 30. navs l9
Mr.. Campbell presented demand from Lieu
tenant governor Robertson
Mr.. Bailey moved that it be rejected without
reading.
Mr.. Sellers raised the point of order that
motion to reject cannot lie against paper which
has not been read.
Mr.. Campbell--It is respectful in terms and
should be read.
q vote to gag anything. l have no objection to
the reading.
Mr.. Winter would not 60 into discussion of
this question-it would take too long. Lieuten-
antgovernor Robertson is to-day de iure the
rightful Lieutenant-governor of the State of In
diana. and any denial of his right to perform the
duties OF that Office is wrong Upon the ques
! tion now before the Senate, he said Lieutenant
governor Robertson, in common with the
humblest citizen, has right, under constitu-
tiona1 provision, to be heard. Not only Lieuten
ant ex-governor Robertson, but the $50, 900 electors
who cast their votes for him the End day of
last November say he has grievance which he
desires to present to this body. 1t is not priv
| iegs to be awarded to them by this body, but it
is right which cannot be denied without revo-
| lutionary proceedings.
| Mr.. Weir commended the course that has
been pursued by Col. Robertson and would
never vote to reject the communication, until it
| is read, at least.
| Mr.. Bailey was willing it should be read for
| Mr.. Smith, in the chair-The Chair would have
| ordered the reading of it, unless the Senate
| voted otherwise, anyhow. 1t will be read.
1t was read by the Clerk, as follows:
INDIANAPOLIS, JAM H. 1887.
| To he Indiana Senate:
Gentlemen-I have the honor to Inform YOU tina t,
having taken the oath of Office which is hereto at
tached am in possession of the Office of Lieutenant
governor of the State of Indiana; able to attend
your sessions and ready to enter upon the constitu
tional functions prescribed in Section of Article
of the State Constitution. towit: To be President of
the Senate with all the rights and duties in said
| ton provided
| That You have in my judgment. wrongfully ex-
cluded and prevented me from exercising that func
| ton and duty of my Office.
Against this, your action do hereby most earnestly
protest and nonstrate, and respectfully demand my
rights. R. S. ROBERTSON,
| Lieutenant governor.
| To this was attached the jurat of Judge Lewis
| c. Walker regarding the administering of the
| oath of office.
The motion to reject was agreed to by yeas 80,
| nays -.
Mr.. Winter desired formally to protest against
this action of the Senate, and at the proper time
would present it. He declared the present occu
| pant of the chair a usurper.
Mr.. Smith, in tine Chair-If the Senator from
| Marion Mr. Winterl thinks that the conduct OF
the President Of the Senate is an act of usurpa